Miner Behavior

Definition ∞ Miner behavior refers to the collective actions and strategic decisions undertaken by participants who validate transactions and create new blocks on a proof-of-work blockchain. These actions include selecting which transactions to include, how to order them, and whether to participate in forks or specific protocol upgrades. Miner behavior directly influences network security, transaction fees, block production rates, and the overall stability of the blockchain. It reflects economic incentives and computational power distribution.
Context ∞ News reports frequently analyze miner behavior in relation to network congestion, transaction fee spikes, and potential 51% attacks. Shifts in mining pool dominance or responses to regulatory changes can significantly impact a cryptocurrency’s operational characteristics and market perception. Monitoring these activities provides insight into the health and decentralization status of proof-of-work networks.